Djokovic Saves 2 M.P. To Beat Federer

World No. 3 Novak Djokovic saved two match points to upset Roger Federer in a pulsating 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 semi-final victory Saturday to advance to the US Open final. Now the Serb must back up from the 3 hr., 44 min match in less than 24 hours to tackle World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who is looking to become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam by winning his first US Open title.

“Anything I have left I will leave on the court tomorrow," vowed Djokovic, who lost to Federer in the 2007 US Open final. "I am tired. There's no secret about that. For four sets I've been quite okay.  Fifth set was very intensive mentally and physically and took a lot out of me.  But  I'm sure I will find the strength to give my best tomorrow.”

Serving at 4-5 in the fifth set, Djokovic fell behind 15/40 but saved both match points with a swinging forehand volley and a down-the-line forehand winner. The Serb then broke Federer in the next game and his nerve was again tested in the final game of the match when he fought off a break point that would have seen the match come down to a fifth-set tie-break. On his first match point, Djokovic trumped Federer in a 22-shot rally to close out the match.

Djokovic will attempt to become the first player since Andy Roddick in 2003 to go on to win the US Open title after winning a semi-final in five sets. (Roddick also saved one match point in his 2003 semi-final against David Nalbandian.)

Djokovic will also attempt to match Juan Martin del Potro’s feat of beating Federer and Nadal en route to glory at Flushing Meadows.

Although Nadal leads their head-to-head series 14-7, Djokovic has won the last three meetings, which have all come on hard court. No player has ever beaten Nadal four times in a row.

Asked what he had learned from three consecutive years of defeats to Federer at the US Open, Djokovic said: “I had to take the chances when I was down match points. That’s why [Federer] is the best player that ever played this game, because he always plays his best tennis in the most important moments. It was almost the case again today.  I got a little bit nervous end of the first and third sets, and that's why I lost those sets.  But anything except that, I think I played overall a great game, fighting really and being aggressive when I had chance, and defending well.

“I just knew I have to be patient and not lose my emotions too much, because that was the case in the past where I was losing the momentum with him.  He uses that nervousness of the opponent. He feels it."

Djokovic used his down-the-line backhand to open up the court, from where he could attack the Federer backhand, and played some exceptional defense when stretched wide by Federer on both wings. He also passed a significant mental challenge, having lost to Federer three consecutive years at Flushing Meadows.

Although Federer was the more aggressive of the two players and found success in regular forays to the net, he was ultimately brought undone by 66 unforced errors to Djokovic’s 38. He also struggled on serve, putting just 53 per cent of first serves into play. The five-time ATP World Tour Champion also paid the price for twice handing back the momentum to Djokovic after winning the first and third sets.